Vacuum work-holder.



G. SIAUNTONJ I VACUUM WORK HOLDER. Arruoulox FILED SEPT. 19,1906.

Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

G. STAUNTON.

VACUUM WORK HOLDER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 19,1906.

Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

*iliiiiiiiiiillmk G. STAUNTON.

VACUUM WORK HOLDER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 19,1906.

Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

a sunk-SHEET 3.

v I MW H 2. 7

7. V W IN MM GRAY STAUNTON. OF CHICAGO, ILLIHGZS.

VACUUM woRK' fifiLDE-lit.

Specification of Letters Patent.

tented Mar. 2., 191-5.

Application filed September 19, 190G. Serial. No. 335,197.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GRAY STAUNION, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vacuum Voile-Hold ers, of which the following is a specifica, tion.

The, improvement relates to holding means for the piece or work to be operated upon by tools of different kinds or for the support, which in turn carries the work, and the invention seeks to provide an improved vacuum holder by which the work or worksupport may bequickly and ea ily placed and rigidly held in.proper working position and easily released therefrom.

The invention consists in the icatu construction, eonibiziaiions and. or; i ments of parts hereinafter set forth, illustrated. in the accompanying drawings and. more particularly pointed. out in the appended claims.

The invention is susceptible of many applicatiuns when it is desired to hold a piece or body of work securely in position for operation thereon by different kinds of tools. For example, the improved holder: may be employed with lathes, planing and shaping machines and other kinds of wood and metal. working tools, and it is partiew larly applicable for supporting small or fragile pieces of work which cannot be readily supported by the means now e ployed. The invention also applirable for holding a drajtsiuau s board or en graver's block or the like.

Figure Lillustrates the application of: the improved work holder as a support or chuck for a lathe, parts being shown in section and parts in CliiYililOIl. l 2 and 3 are w Lionel views of inodi ations of the form shown in Fig. 1. Fig.3! is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of a work holder suitable for supporting a. drafts mans board or engravers block. Figs. 5

and are detail. views of the che :k valves 7 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, parts being shown in section in Fig. 5 on the line 55 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a View partially in section and par 'tially in elevation of another form of work holder adapted to support the drattsnians board, engravers block or the like. Fig. 8 is anion: i ection of a Washer shown in Fig. 7 before it is placed in position. Fig. 9 is an end view of a valve device shown in Fig. 7 taken on the plane indicated. by the line. 9-4) in and looking in the dirge tion of the arrows. Fig. .10 is an enlarged sectional view of the valve device shown in so Fif 7.

in. Figs. l and the rotary lathe l is mounted upon the end of a shank or shaft that is journaled in the bearings of a suitable supportii'lg A steppe e pulley l.- is mounted upon the shaft or shim between the bearings 53 and may he belte to any suitable source of g iower to rotate th at the of speed. "2c against which ed at the shaft and head 1. of the work holder desired rate A Washer held is arr head i. va hr in rig ma l rah prel m zzllcr a" thar the et hed the z, hery of the sann so that a tii. is rod. between the head and w nor l head provided :it its pr. or projections i'lilCis are poin or sharp-- sink into a sharp r 1. stands nor:

. l .r your toe vii.

The i ..=(l 1 an.-

hezid ant. ter is pl; the work w ill t, c

. washer o securely held in position o atoms; 1e. Wl'ien a vacuum isto'fined. i the space 11., the washer will be slighti compressed and the n "ill be deflected v t 3 face will then lie 30 he plane working face 3 of the washer, shown in lines in P 1 and in. dott d lines in Fit; 2. i i

edge of the beveled lip will then be under tension and very snugly pressed into engagement with the piece of work 12 so that a perfectly tight joint will be formed between the washer and the work.

The vacuum is maintained within the space 1.1 by means of a suitable check valve. The valve shown in Fig. 1 comprises a cap piece or casing 13 which is threaded upon the reduced end of the shank or shaft 2. A

'yieldmg washer 14 between the cap or cars ing 13 and the shoulder 15 prevents leaking at that point. The end of the cap or casing 13 is provided with a central perforation or opening 16 through which extends the shank 17 of a disk valve 18. The valve is held in place by a cross piece 19 on the inner end of the shank. The disk valve, shank 17 and the cross piece 19 are all preferably formed of soft rubber and the valve has a thin edge or lip which normally engages the outer face of the end of the cap or casing 13. The shank 17 is smaller than the opening 16 and the thin edge or lip of the disk valve will yield in outward direction to permit the withdrawal of air through the passage 10 but, when the vacuum is once formed, the thin edge or lip of the disk valve will be pressed snugly into engagement with the face of the cap 13 so thatno leakage can occur. The side wall of the cap or casing 13 is preferably extended beyond its end face which forms a seat for the valve so that the latter cannot be accidentally struck to release the vacuum.

In operation the piece of work 12 is placed in properposition against the face of the washer 5 and the air withdrawn from the space 11 and passage 10, by a pump or other suitablemeans and the piece will then be securely held in working position by atmospheric pressure, as described. In this way, the work may be very easily and quickly placed in position but is readily released therefrom by pinching together the edges of the disk val\e 18 to destroy the vacuum within the space 11. The holder is well adapted for small pieces of work and for those of fragile material, such as glass and the like which cannot be rcadilvheld b devices usually employed. In Fig. 1 the holder is shown as supporting the glass disk in working position upon the lathe so that its edge may be beveled and the device ma be conveniently employed with hithcs or other suitable tools for bcveling the edges. 'of glass mirrors. in the form shown in Fig. 1, the supporting washer 5 for the glass plate 12 will yield slightly and take up the vibration of the glass when the latter is worked upon by a grinding tool so that the glass will not be easily broken.

"hen metal is worked upon it is desirable to rigidly hold it in position and in the form shown in Fig. 2,-the head 1 is provided on its face and adjacent its edge with a projecting annular abutment or flange 20 against which the inwardly projecting portion 7 of the washer 5 abuts. The working face 9 of the washer 5 normally extends slightly beyond the outer edge or working face of the abutment or flangeQO, but when the piece of work 12 is placed in position and the air withdrawn from the space 11, as described, the washer will be compressed and the work will engage the abutment or flange 20 (as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2) so that it will be securely held in working position and cannot vibrate or yield laterally.

A modified form of check valve is shown in Fig. 2 which consists of a disk 21 of soft rubber that is held in place against the endof the shank or shaft 2 over the outlet or passage 10. A clamp nut 22 is threaded on the outer reduced end of the shank or shaft 2- and is provided with an inwardly projecting flange or shoulder 23 that ongages the edge of the disk 21 to firmly hold it in place and prevent leaking between the edge of the disk and face of the shaft 2. The dist; 21 is provided on its outer face with a central protuberance 2 L somewhat larger in diameter than the passage 10. This protuberance is provided with a perforation or opening but the walls around the opening form sclf closing lips, so that, although air may be readily withdrawn from passage 10 outwardly through the o]. ening 25, ex: terior pressure will compress the lips or walls about the opening to prevent leaking therethrough. i

Any suitable means could be employed for withdrawing the air from the holder to create a vacuum therein. In Fig, 3 a flexiblc pipe 26 is arranged to be cdnnectrd: to a vacuum tank and is provided on its end with a casing 27 having a plug valve 28. The outer end of the ng is 1' vidod with a flaring washer of soft. rubber that is held in place thereon by a wrv c or collar 2' l.

By pressing the washer "ii against the holder over the outlet of the passage 10 and opening valve as when the work is in position on the face of the holds, the air will be quickly withdrawn ta) clamp the work securely in position. pump having a mouth pit-r and tluui'c similar to that the casing! ii? could be ronvcnientlv employed in some iuHtuInr-s.

In the form shown in Fig. 3, the head ill is rcnuntably thruula-d upon the reduced outer end of the shaft l) and a packing 33 is cmployrd to pre ent leakingbetween the h ad and shaft. ln this way. heads and r :::-'l!1'l'rof different sizes may be provided r ith the same lathe or other inz-ichinc ,for holding pieces of work of different "sizes. In this form also, a removable work support is shown in connection with the holder 0 and comprises an annular 3& having strips of yielding mat-e iiil in its face end connected by arms 36 to a central ring 37 that is screwthreaded upon a shoulder 38 on the rear face of the head 31. The arms 36 are inclined forwardly to hold the ring about the washer with its working race slightly behind the working face 9 of the holding washer. When the work 39 is placed in position and clamped as described, the washer will be slightly compressed so that the edges of the work abut against the supporting ring 34 and the work thus held against vibration.

The form of holde sown in Fig. l is adapted for use with the draftsmans hoard or engravers block. The head 1 and washer 5 are similar to those previously described and, are carried upon a shank 40 that is connected by universal joint 41 of any suitable form to an upright standard or other like support. The outer portion of the pasextends laterally through a boss or offset 43 on the side of the shank and the disk valve 521 is held inplace upon the face otthe boss 43 by the clamp nut 22. lVith the structure shown in this modification. :1 dra .Jinans hoard, ei'igravers block or the like may be clamped in place and moved to 15 desired position upon the supporting inlard The "form shmrzz in F' T is also adapted for supporting a dre nnans board, en- 'rarers blOCli or like work to be operated i with hand or other tools and QO'KHPZlSPH :i lie-ivy disk-like support or mount ll prelcraliily formed of cast metal and a mo ableshank 453 connected to the support ll hircrszil ioi .1 In the form shown joint comprises a spherical head ii? connect ed to the sl'ninl'; by a reduced neck portion 4?. 'lhc head sets within a semi-cylindrical scat in the upper face of the disk 44 and a corr oonding seat in a clamp plate 48 that is L. n l to the upper face of the support ing oisk 44- by a "w bolt l and :i tlimnh screw fill. "lj'he so no r througl'z the clamp plate at diametric lly opposite point plat l8 need by the spher ice above the the upporr. thumb se'ew washer scriliied. r the shank. if: so QJAQ shown, the head is provided with a stem which fits snugly within a socket 523- in the outer end of the stem. The upper end of the stem 52 is reduced or provided with annular recess 5% about which is-arranged a washer This washer is triangular in section and, before it is placed in position, has the form indicated in Fig. In placing the washer upon the stem the body portion thereof given a quarter turn so that its lower thin edge is held under considerable tension about the reduced portion 54 of the stem to firmly grip the same and pre vent leaking at that point. When the head is placed in position With its stem Within the socket 53, the shoulder 56 above the upper edge of the socket engages the outer beveled or inclined face of the washer. The washer is preferably formed of soft rubber and the socket 53 is of such depth that the stem may be forced or drawn into the socket to press the shoulder 56 snugly against the washer and thus prevent leaking. The head 51 and its stem 52 are provided with a passage 57 leading from the face of the head and the shank 15 prorided with an angular passage 58 leading from the socket as and extending outwardly toward the side of the shank. The side of the shank opposite the end of the passage 58 is recessed to present a flat surface a .d this Sl. face is provided with a central de- E ion or rec ss: 30 of smaller diameter forming a seat f r the outw-n opening check valve (ill. This check valve diskhaped and of soft rubber and is substantially similar to the check valve 25 previously described. lt is held in place by a retaining ring 62 thn ded into t depression or recess and engaging the edge of- 1 cute" I'O'i t thro v 1 A i 2 alien upon the (i is n :d in position socket the ir will )acc ll between the by means ol a pump ier. so that the ntl1 firmly hold the nd will also force the from or in other i lfil'l'. pro

an the lie-ad l stein "r2 of o the socket 53 so that a iffil'lliGCl between the shoui lei oclt f. end the washer in L d securely held in position upon the shank 55 but can be amored theretron. as soon as the Ill) 7 out departure from .of work through the aid of The valve device shown in Figs. 7, 9 and 10 is preferably employed for forming the vacuum. This device comprises a body portion having a stem (56 on one side to receive the end of a flexible tube 67 that is connected to a suitable vacuum tank. A passage 68 through the body portion 65 and stem (36 is reduced at one point to form a seat (39 for a longitudinally movable needle valve 70. At its outer end the valve is provided with a head 71 and a flange or abutment 72 which, in the closed position of the valve, engages the outer face of the body portion (35. On its outer side the body portion (35 is provided with a projecting flange 75 which is preferahly inclined outwardly or flared, as shown. A washer 76 of soft rubber or yielding material is firmly held in place against the outer face of the flange 75 by a wrapping 77 of wire or cord. The thickened edge 78 of the flaring washer projects beyond the edge of the flange 75. A pair of bent shift levers or bell cranks 79 are pivotally' mounted between their upon the outer forked ends of a pair of studs 80, the reduced inner ends of which are threaded into the body portion (55 within the flange 75. The studs 80 are so arranged, as shown in Fig. 9, that the lovers 79 vibrate in parallel planes at equal distances from the axis of the valve 70 and the inner ends of the levers overlap and engage a slot or opening 85; in the head 71 of the valve. The outer ends of the levers project beyond the edges of the flange '75 and washer 76 so that, when the device is placed against the fiat face 59 ofthe shank 4-5, asshown in Fig. 7, the levers 79 will be turned about their pivots to automatically open the valve 70. At the same time the edge 78 of the washer 76 will be pressed against the flat face 59 to prevent leaking and the air in the space 11 between the work 12 and head 51 and the passages 57 and 58 will be quickly withdrawn to firmly clamp the work and removable head in position. i

In each of the forms described the work holder is adapted to securely engage a piece a vacuum and the holder may thereafter be rotated or otherwise moved as on the work with tools of different kinds. The work may be easily and quickly placed in position and released when desired. The form of valve shown in Figs. 52, 3 and 4- may be readily opened to destroy the vacuum and release the work by inserting a pointed instrument into the opening or perforation 25.

It is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the details of construction withthe essentials of the invention and that. the improved work holder may be employed for a variety of purposes.

Having described my invention, what I ends desired for operating claim as new, and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, is: I

l. The combination with a suitable support, head mounted on said support, and a washer of soft rubber mounted on the face of said head, said washer having a Hat work engaging face yieldable only by the com pression of the body of said washer and a flexible beveled lip at the edge of said working face extending forwardly slightly beyond the same, and said head having a passage therethrough leading from its face, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a suitable support, of a head movably mounted thereon, a. washer of soft rubber mounted on the periphery of said head and projecting beyond its face, said washer having an inwardly projecting portion overlapping the face of said head and a beveled lip at its edge extending forwardly the face of the washer, and said head having a passage therethrough leading from its face, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a suitable support, of a head having a shank portion movably mounted in a suitable bearin' on said support, a washer of yielding material mounted on the face of said head, said head having a work engaging face yieldable only by the C(Jll'1Pl8SSl0Il of the body of the washer, said head and shank having a passage thercthrough leading from the face of said head, and an outwardly-opening check valve mounted in said passage, substantially as described.

4.. A vacuum work holder comprising a suitable support, a shank movably mounted on said support, a' head having a stem and socket connection with said shank, the stein of said connection fitting within the socket thereof and freely removable therefrom, a packing ring interposed between said stem and shank, a washer mounted on the face of said head against which the work is hold, said head sage leading theretln'ough from the face of said head and an outwardly ope: g check valve for said passage, substantially as described.

5. A vacuum work a suitable support, a versal joint with said support, means for clamping said shank in any desired position upon said support. a rcn'iovable head on said shank, a washer of yielding material mounted upon the face of said head against which the work is held, said head holder comprising shank having a uniand shank having a passage leading thcre-,

through from the face of said head and an outwardly opening check valve for said passage, substantially as described.

6. vacuum work holder comprising a suitable support, a shank movably mounted on said support, a head having a stem fitslightly beyond and shank having a pasting within a socket in said shank and freely through from'the face of the head and an removable therefrom, a washer of triangular outwardly opening check valve for said pas 19 section about ,the stem of said head and ensage, substantiallyas described,

gaging the edge of the socket of said shank,

5 said washer having its thin edge under ten- GRAY STAUNTON;

sion, a washer of'flexible material mounted \Vitnesses: on the face of said head, said head and LiLLm PRENTICE,

shank having a passage leading there- .KATHLARINE Gnnm'cnw 

